Ancestors of Rachel Harris (1754-1825)

First Generation

1. Rachel HARRIS was born on 2 Sep 1754 in Roadstown, New Jersey,
died on 29 Sep 1825 in Perry Co., Indiana and was buried in Cliff
Cemetery, Cannelton Indiana.

The book, EARLY RECORDS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEW JERSEY by Charlotte
Meldrum (1998) p. 93 lists the parents of Rachel as Nathaniel and
Abigail Harris. She was born September 2, 1750; she and George Ewing
were married August 10, 1778.

The book, CUMBERLAND COUNTY (NEW JERSEY) MARRIAGES, compiled by H.
Stanley Craig from the records of the New Jersey Archives, reprinted
1987, p. 6 also shows: Ewing, George and Rachel Harris, Hunterdon Co.
, August 7, 1778 for date of marriage license.

In an address delivered at the centennial celebration in Marietta,
Ohio, by General Thomas Ewing (son of Hon. Thomas Ewing,) the
following was spoken about Rachel Harris: "She was the wife of a
soldier of the Revolution, who emigrated to the far West after the war
ended. She had made the journey from the Ohio over river and mountain,
by flood and fell, through an almost trackless wilderness, on
horseback, unattended, carrying a boy baby in her arms. No man ever
boasted of his lineage with loftier pride than I, when I say that that
brave and loving woman was my grandmother and the baby my
father." Later, the family with several other families moved up
the Muskigum River to the mouth of Olive Green Creek, where they
erected block houses and cabins. They had little but the bare
necessities of life.

She and her husband, George, were buried on the banks of the Ohio
River in Tobin Township but in June 1907, their remains and headstones
were removed to Cliff Cemetery in Cannelton, Indiana. This was done
under the supervision of John G. Latimer (b. 1860) It is believed,
like her husband, that the death dates written on the gravestone are
incorrect.

Rachel married George EWING Sr., son of Thomas EWING Jr. and Sarah
VICKARS, on 10 Aug 1778 in Cumberland Co., New Jersey. (George EWING
Sr. was born on 18 Mar 1754 in Greenwich, Cumberland Co., New Jersey,
died on 15 Jan 1824 in Perry Co., Indiana and was buried in Cliff
Cemetery, Cannelton Indiana.)

Third Generation (Grandparents)

4. Nathaniel HARRIS was born on 8 Oct 1693 in Southampton, Long
Island, NY and died on 2 Nov 1775 in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., NJ.

According to "Salem Co. New Jersey Genealogical Data" by H.
Stanley Craig, p. 90, "Nathaniel Harris served in the Colonial
Militia in 1715, South side of the Cohansey, under the command of
Capt. Joseph Sealey.

"Documents Relating to the Colonial and Revolutionary History of
the State of New Jersey", First Series, Vol. XXXIV, Vol.
V-1771-1780" P. 230:

Fourth Generation (Great Grandparents)

8. Thomas HARRIS was born on 20 May 1657 in Middleton, Middlesex
Co., Conn. and died on 22 Aug 1697 in Fairfield, Conn.

Thomas married Ruth JAMES, daughter of Thomas
JAMES and Ruth JONES, about 1680 in
Southampton, Long Island. (Ruth JAMES was born on
2 Mar in Southampton, Long Island and died before 1723 in Easthampton,
Long Island, NY.)